He spoke very seriously, and Xia Ran couldn't help but hesitate.
"Is everything you're saying true? You're not just trying to comfort me?"
Lin Ziming: "Of course not, I swear I'm not lying to you, so can you now help me pack my things without worry?"
After confirming several times that Lin Ziming wasn't trying to comfort him, Xia Ran felt a little better and then tidied up the office with Lin Ziming.
Actually, calling it tidying up the office was less accurate than tidying up Lin Ziming's personal belongings.
"Alright, everything's packed. Now it's time to talk about your business." Lin Ziming closed the office door.
Although he was dismissed, the hospital did not force him to leave immediately, so he still had time.
"My business? What business of mine?" Xia Ran asked, puzzled.
"No rush, have some water first." Lin Ziming poured water for himself and Xia Ran, and then sat down facing Xia Ran.
Xia Ran could only take the water and wait for Lin Ziming to continue.
"Actually, what I want to ask is, what is your relationship with Gu Zheng's younger brother, Gu En?"
Upon hearing Lin Ziming's words, Xia Ran tightened her grip on the cup.
"We have no relation whatsoever, so what's wrong?"
"No, I just think you look a lot like him, so I'm a little curious and confused."
Lin Ziming took out the file folder that he had put in the drawer at the beginning.
"I found out some things about Gu En. I was planning to tell you about it later, but you came down right away. That's good, I don't have to make another trip."
“Weren’t we investigating that email before, and then we traced it back to that detective? I remember I asked you if you had ever offended a detective, and you said no, right?”
“Yes.” Xia Ran nodded.
Of course, he did tell Lin Ziming that he didn't know any detectives, but what he said was true. He really didn't know any detectives, let alone offend them.
"So I followed that clue and started investigating. I want to apologize to you first for investigating without your permission. But I saw that you had to take care of Grandpa and I was worried that you wouldn't have enough time, so I asked someone I knew to investigate first."
"The investigation led us to Gu Zheng's younger brother, Gu En. We used many methods to question the detective before he finally revealed what Gu En was about. However, when I saw Gu En's photo, I was quite surprised. I didn't expect him to look so much like you."
Xia Ran: "So, the mastermind behind all of this is Gu En? Gu En orchestrated all those online rumors?"
“Yes.” Lin Ziming took out all the documents and handed them to Xia Ran. “Here is also a video, which is the detective’s testimony.”
Xia Ran: "But how did Gu En know about my grandfather's affairs? If my grandfather hadn't told me those things, I would never have known them."
"Is that so?" Lin Ziming's eyes flickered. "But there's a saying in this world that's true: money makes the world go round. If he has money and knows you, it's not difficult for him to investigate some things."
Actually, if he had known Xia Ran and the others back then, he wouldn't have had to search for so long. After all, there were thousands upon thousands of people with the exact same name as Grandpa Xia, and he couldn't find them even if he checked them one by one.
Chapter 336 Personally Solving the Problem
"That's true." Xia Ran gave a wry smile. "They have plenty of money. If they wanted to investigate, what couldn't they find out?"
What Xia Ran really wanted to say was that all of this was because of him; if it weren't for him, this probably wouldn't have happened.
However, those things are all in the past, and he doesn't need to bring them up again.
Lin Ziming glanced at Xia Ran, then feigned confusion and asked,
"By the way, Xia Ran, there's something I'd like to gossip about. It's about Grandpa, because I've learned some things while I was having people investigate these matters."
"Well..." Xia Ran hesitated for a moment, "It is possible, but I only have a vague understanding of it."
Xia Ran had considered not telling anyone, since it was her grandfather's private matter, but Lin Ziming had just said that he had already found out some things, so even if he said no, he probably couldn't keep it a secret forever.
"But Ziming, I hope you will keep these things a secret, because Grandpa doesn't want anyone to mention this past. If it weren't for me recently, he wouldn't have told me, and I would never have known that Grandpa had such a past."
"Of course, I'm just curious, I won't tell anyone," Lin Ziming replied.
"Actually, I didn't want to ask anything, but why did Grandpa break up with that person back then? Did he marry someone else after the breakup?"
He actually had another guess in his mind, wondering if Xia Ran was like them.
Xia Ran: "Actually, it's nothing. It's just that that person became increasingly unkind to my grandfather. In short, he abandoned my grandfather."
"However, I think it's probably not true that my grandfather got married right after we separated. My grandfather told me his story with my grandmother, saying that they met through a family matchmaking arrangement. At first, he didn't want to date, but my great-grandfather and others forced him to go on blind dates."
"At first, he went to see my grandmother, but he wasn't interested in getting married at the time, so he rejected her. However, my grandmother liked my grandfather and kept pursuing him. After more than half a year, my grandfather was moved by my grandmother, and they got married."
"However, my grandmother passed away in an accident when my father was just over two years old, and my parents also died in a car accident when I was just over one year old. So, my grandfather had a very hard life."
"So that's how it is." Lin Ziming sighed. "Indeed, it was that person who abandoned Grandpa back then. It's normal for Grandpa to be heartbroken and marry someone else. Fortunately, he's doing well now."
"Yes," Xia Ran sighed, "So what's the point of feelings? And how long do they last?"
"When you love, you love with all your heart; when you don't love, you walk away without a second thought, leaving the other person stuck in the memories, unable to move on. But thankfully, my grandfather let go and married my grandmother."
This is probably the thing Xia Ran is most grateful for; otherwise, there wouldn't be another him.
Lin Ziming looked at Xia Ran and said, "So, why don't you try to get into another relationship? The best and fastest way to forget a previous relationship is to get into another one."
"If you're interested, I can introduce you to someone. Don't worry, the person I introduce is absolutely reliable. If he dares to treat you badly, I'll break all three of his legs."
"Pfft..." Xia Ran was amused by Lin Ziming's words, "There's no need for introductions, I really don't want to be in a relationship right now."
"Right now, I just want to spend time with my grandfather. After all, I was quite unfilial in the past. If it weren't for my actions, my grandfather wouldn't have gotten so sick."
"Are you sure you don't need to?" Lin Ziming's tone seemed somewhat regretful.
"Yes, I'm absolutely certain that it's not necessary," Xia Ran said, feigning nonchalance.
Lin Ziming didn't bring up the topic at all; he thought it was normal that Xia Ran hadn't gotten over it yet.
"Could you tell me about Gu En? I just heard you say that Gu Zheng should go find Gu En, what exactly is going on?"
Upon hearing this, Xia Ran paused for a moment, clearly not wanting to answer the question.
"I... Brother Ziming, can we change the subject? I don't want to talk about it?"
Even though so much time has passed, he still subconsciously doesn't want to bring it up.
Moreover, it's not a pleasant thing to talk about.
The more Xia Ran resisted talking, the more Lin Ziming felt something was wrong. But he didn't intend to force Xia Ran to talk.
"Okay, if you don't want to talk about it, then don't. Tell me when you're ready to talk about it."
"Okay." Xia Ran breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you."
Lin Ziming was amused by Xia Ran. "What's there to thank me for? I clearly shouldn't have asked about your sad things. If you thank me now, won't it just make me feel even more guilty?"
"Or do you want me to feel guilty and uneasy so you can treat me to dinner?"
"No, I..." Xia Ran tried to explain, "Brother Ziming, I didn't mean that!"
"Alright, alright." Lin Ziming laughed heartily. "I was just teasing you. Why are you in such a hurry? I just noticed you seemed a little nervous, so I wanted to ease the tension."
“Brother Ziming.” Xia Ran said helplessly. He only just realized that Lin Ziming also had this side to him.
Lin Ziming: "Alright, let's get back to the main topic. Tell me what you plan to do? What do you want to do about Gu En? We can't just let it go like this."
Xia Ran also composed herself. "Impossible. He's done so much, how could I just let it go like this?"
“That’s what I think too,” Lin Ziming said.
He had originally thought that Xia Ran was kind-hearted and might let Gu En go for Gu Zheng's sake.
If Xia Ran really intended to let Gu En go, he would secretly have someone take care of it.
He has always been protective of his own, so of course he wouldn't just stand by and watch the old man be bullied.
"However, I haven't found out where Gu En lives yet; it will take some time."
The photos of Gu En in those documents were all from six years ago. Even from six years ago, the resemblance to Xia Ran was still very clear.
"It's okay, we've already waited so long, I don't mind waiting a little longer." Xia Ran knew she couldn't rush things.
"But Ziming, if you have any news, please let me know as soon as possible. I want to handle this matter personally."
It's not just about resolving this issue, but also about resolving past issues.
He used to be foolish. When Gu En called him a mistress, he really believed he was a mistress. How could he not seek revenge after being insulted like that?
Chapter 337 Unbearable
"Okay, I've already had my people investigate. We'll have news soon. We should head out now, or the hospital might kick me out later."
Lin Ziming said it jokingly, and Xia Ran, who had finally felt relieved, felt guilty again.
"Brother Ziming, I still need to say sorry, otherwise I will feel uneasy."
“In that case, I’ll accept your apology. If you really want to make it up to me, how about you treat me to a meal later? After Grandpa is discharged from the hospital, take me out for a big meal, okay?” Lin Ziming said to Xia Ran.
Xia Ran nodded quickly, "Of course, no problem! Not just one meal, but as many meals as you like is fine!"
Although he knew Lin Ziming was just trying to comfort him, Xia Ran did feel much better.
The two left the office chatting and laughing. Xia Ran was also carrying a box, which belonged to Lin Ziming.
Xia Ran and Lin Ziming put the things in the car together.
"By the way, Xiao Ran, do you mind if I call you that? After all, calling you Xia Ran seems too formal."
“Of course I don’t mind,” Xia Ran said. “That’s what my grandfather calls me. Anyway, we’ll be family soon, so there’s nothing wrong with it.”
Lin Ziming: "That's good. Xiaoran, what I wanted to say is that we shouldn't let Grandpa know that I was fired, so he won't overthink it. I'll find a time to tell Grandpa that I've resigned."
"Okay." Xia Ran suddenly remembered Lin Ziming's eye. "Brother Ziming, you need to get your eye treated, right?"
"Don't worry about it." Lin Ziming shrugged indifferently. "It's just a little bruise, it'll go away on its own in a couple of days."
"but……"
Lin Ziming: "There's no 'but,' don't worry. I'm a doctor myself, so nothing will happen."
"Well... alright." Since Lin Ziming had already said that, what else could Xia Ran say?
"Fortunately, Grandpa will be able to be discharged from the hospital in two days, and it won't be a problem even if we change doctors."
If the old man hadn't recovered by evening, Lin Ziming really wouldn't have agreed to resign so easily.
"Okay, I understand. So, Ziming, are you going back now or somewhere else?"